Visible index and the like



July 5, 1932. R. FITZ POWER VISIBLE INDEX AND THE LIKE Filed Nov. 16, 1929 v FIG. 2. FIG. 3.

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Patented July 5, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE RICHARD FI'TZ POWER, OF HAMPSTEAD, LONDON, ENGLAND, ASSIGNOR T0 MORLAND 8t IMPEY LIMITED, OF NORTHFIELD, BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND VISIBLE INDEX AND TEE LIKE Application filed November 16, 1929, Serial No. 407,774, and in Great Britain December 31, 1928.

This invention relates to visible indexes and has more especial reference to the holding members or supports employed therein to secure the cards constituting the units of the index in position on a base or tray.

customarily visible indexes are arranged with their cards in overlying spaced relation so that the lower edge of each card remains visible when the cards are supported in tumbler fashion, usually by an integral support engaging overturned flanges of the index base or tray.

The main object of the present invention is to provide a card-supporting member to and from which a card can be readily attached and detached, the second object being to cheapen the construction of the index, while increasing its scope and speed of operation and a further object is to provide where necessary a convenient form of reinforcement for index cards.

A support for index cards according to th invention comprises a folded strip of material preferably of metal and preferably of a length greater than the width of the supported edge of the card, and provided on one fold portion with a continuous longitudinal rib at one side formed by a crease in the other side thereof, which rib is adapted to be en-,

gaged by a corresponding rib adjacent the support edge of the card, and thus secure the card in position.

Attachment of the card to its holdin member is attained by threading the card axially into the holding strip from one end, and the walls of the support are disposed relatively to each other so as to hold the card rib interlockingly engaged with the support rib against unwanted transverse displacement while permitting relative axial movement between the card and the support.

Thus the card is positively and definitely positioned with relation to the support and cannot be displaced transversely.

The support strip being usually made of thin sheet metal, a flange or flanges may be provided extending rearwardly from one of the walls of the strip, to give longitudinal rigidity.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention the support comprises a metal str1p which has been triple folded, the intermediate wall being provided with a longitudinal rib on its inner side, formed by a crease in the outer side, and the front wall terminating in an inturned flange arranged so as todepend into the recess of the crease and thereby provide a suitable interlock with the corresponding rib arrangedon' the supporting edge of the index card.

To position the index card in regard to its support the latter may at a suitable distance from one end, have its folds pressed together to form a stop for the card, or alternatively, the rib -may terminate some dis, tance away from the support end and thus limit the distance to which the card may be inserted, while to facilitate attaching the cards to the support the front face is conveniently arranged with a leading edge at the entry to the recess normally occupied by the supported edge of the index card. i

V The invention will be further described with reference to the accompanying draw-v ing where several forms of card support and a reinforcement for index cards according to the invention are shown, and in which: i

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of one form of support, wherein a continuous rib formed by a crease is made in each of two walls of the support.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of a simplified form'of support, wherein a continuous rib formed by a crease is made in the front well only of the support.

Fig. 3 is a detail perspective view of Fig. 1 showing the two walls of the support pressed together to form a positioning stop. for the card. 1

Fig. 4 is an enlarged .cross section of the support illustrated in Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a cross-section of the support flanged as before mentioned, to give the support lateral rigidity; V

Fig. 6 is a front elevation of afurther modifieil form of support and associated'card; an a a Fig. 7 is a cross-section on the line VIIVII of Fig. 6, the front wall of the support in this construction being inturned towards the recess of the rib in an intermediate Wall.

Figs. 8, 9, 10 and 11 illustrate the preferred form of card support according to the invention;

Fig. 8 being a front elevation Fig. 9 being a vertical section on the line IXIX of Fig. 8, the associated index card being illustrated with a reinforcement on its lower edge constructed say of celluloid Fig. 10 is a detail View illustrating the construction of the strip forming the support; and

Fig. 11 is a detail sectional plan of the end portion of the support illustrating the provision adopted to facilitate removal of the support from an index base or tray.

Referring now to the drawing but first more particularly to Figs. 1 to 5, 1 represents an index card arranged to be carried from its upper edge 2 in a card support 3, 3a, 3b, 3c and 3d, a series of such supports and associated cards 1 being arranged in parallel relation on a base or tray with overturned flanges of which the ends t and 5 of the supports are adapted to engage so as to secure a series of cards 1 in overlying spaced relation to form a visible index.

Each card support 3, 3a, 3b, 30, or 3d is preferably constructed of strip metal folded at 6 and in Fig. 2 having its front wall 7 only provided with a continuous internally projecting rib 8, formed by a crease made in the wall adjacent to the free edge 7a thereof. This rib 8 extends at least to the same length as a corresponding rib 9, formed by a similar crease, contiguous to and running the complete length of the support edge 2 of the card 1. To hold the card to the support, the card is given a lateral movement so that the recess of the card rib 9 engages the rib 8 of the support, as shown in Fig. 2, the distance between the ribbed wall 7 and the adjacent rear wall being such as to hold the ribs 8 and 9 interlockingly engaged in axial alignment while permitting relative axial movement between the card and the support.

In the form of support 3, as shown in Figs. 1 and 4, the rear wall 14 is also arranged with a continuous rib 15 corresponding to the rib 8 in the front wall 7, the rib 8 projecting internally into the recess of the rib 14 in the rear wall to hold the card rib interlockingly engaged as in the construction above described, the space between the two walls of the support thus corresponding in contour with the supported edge 2 of the index card. including the longitudinal rib formed by a crease 9 and permits of the relative axial movement of the card, for attachment and detachment thereof. Thus, in the construction according to Figs. 1, 2 and 4, it will be seen that the index card is held firmlyby the card support 3 or 3a against unwanted displacement and simply necessitates the provision of a longitudinal rib 9 adjacent the supported edge of the card which is readily attachable to the support 3 or 3a by a simple lateral engagement, the attachment being greatly facilitated by removing a portion of the front wall 7 as shown in Fig. 1 providing a leading edge 11 thereon, so that the supporting edge 2 of the card is easily entered in the space between the front and rear walls of the card support.

. In Fig. 1 a preferred form of index card is illustrated having its shoulders removed or cutaway adjacent its supporting edge 2 and being provided with a line of perforations 12 to constitute a virtual hinge line adjacent its support, cards of this nature being described in my patent application Serial No. 407,77 5 of even date herewith.

To fixedly position the cards 1 in relation to the support the rib 8 is terminated some distance from the end 4 of the support 3 and the walls thereof are pressed together at 13,

more particularly Fig. 3 so that insuflicient space is left between for the passage of the supported edge 2 of the card 1 and a convenient positioning stop for the card thereby provided.

As will be seen with the card form illustrated in Fig. 1 even when assembled in overlapping relation in a visible index with the edges L and 5 of the support 3 engaged under retaining flanges of the base or tray, any particular card 1 can be readily removed or inserted in position by a simple relative lateral movement of the supported edge 2 in regard to the card support 3 when the rib 9 either engages between the walls of the strip or is removed therefrom according to whether the card being attached or removed.

In Fig. 5 a form of card support 3?) is shown, the rear wall 1 1 of which terminates at its lower edge in a flange 16 arranged for the purpose of imparting lateral rigidity to the support and enhanced rigidity as regards the lateral span of the support 3?) is also ncreased by arranging the fold 6 in the form shown, that is turned rearwardly as at 17 so that the support is virtually of channel form and even when constructed of very thin stripmetal presents sut'iicient lateral rigidity for the purpose in view.

Referring now to the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7 where a card support 30 more espec ally for the securement of index cards 1 having a creased supporting edge is i lustrated. the front wall 7 of the card support 3 terminates in an inturned flange 18 positioned opposite and depending into the recess of the rib 15 of the wall 14 which in this construction is an intermediate wall, being upturned at its lower edge 19 to form rear wall 20 which gives the necessary strength to the card support.

I As will be clearly seen from Fig. 6 the card i is attached to its support by a simple relative axial movement as in'the previous constructions, the rib 9 on the supported edge 2 of the index card 1 occupying the recess of the rib 15 in the intermediate wall 14, and being held in axial alignment by the inturned edge 18 engaging the recess of the card rib 9 so that unwanted displacement of the card is prevented.

As in the previous construction a leading edge 11 is arranged on the front wall7 to facilitate insertion of index cards 1 into the support 30 and a stop is arranged near the other end of the support in order to fixedly determine the position occupied by the index card mounted in the support and in this construction the termination of the crease 15 at 21 may conveniently be employed to prevent further movement of the card 1 and thus provide the necessary stop.

Referring now to a preferred construction of card support illustrated in Figs. 8 to 11,

the front wall 7 is inturned at 8 to engage the recess of the card rib 9 and the material from which the strip is formed is bent downwardly at 6 to form a rear wall 20 of the support, which is again bentinwardly and upwardly at 22 to form a third or intermediate wall 23 which includes a continuous rib 24 formed by a crease and corresponding to the rib 15 illustrated in the previous embodiments, the inturned edge 8 depending into the recess of the rib 24 to hold the card rib 9 interlockingly engaged with the recess of the support'rib 24 against transverse displacement, while permitting relative axial movement between the card and the support. To engage the card with the support therefore, the supported edge 2 of the card 1, including the longitudinal rib 9, is threaded into the space between the front wall 7 and the intermediate Wall 23, and the card is thereby securely held in position to its support 3d.

A leading edge 11 to facilitate insertion of the card is provided as in the previous embodiment and the preferred form'of stop for positioning the card as clearly illustrated in Fig. 10, is constituted by a termination of the rib 24 at 21 and corresponding termination of the inturned edge 8 at 25 whereby a suitable abutment is formed which determines the relative position of the index card 1 to the card support 3d. The detail Fig. 10 has been opened up to show clearly the inturned edge 8. In operation, this inturned edge depends into the recess of the rib 24, as described above, the rib 24 and the edge 8 terminating together to form the abutment, as will be readily understood.

To facilitate handling of the support 301, when withdrawing it from or inserting it into the index; base or tray, which is adapted to hold the supports,'a nib projection 26 is arranged adj acent-one end to provide a point on the support by which it can be held con.-

veniently by a thumb or finger nail when the ends 4, 5 are being disengaged from or engaged by the overturned flanges of the index tray, while the end 5 of the support 361 may be strengthened orreinforced by permitting the end portion 27 of the front wall 7 to remain so that a triple thickness of strip is provided at each of the ends 4 and 5 of the card support 30? adapted to be engaged by the overturned flanges of the base or tray.

To prevent any possibility of detachment of the index card being obstructed or rendered difficult, the intermediate wall may abut against the fold 6, or as shown, a flange 28 may be provided on the intermediate wall 23 to'serve this purpose, and at the same time definitely position the intermediate wall in respect of the rest of the support.

As will be seen the card support 30! according to the preferred embodiment is shown with an angular fold 6 which permits of. the assembly of a series of supports in close relationship on an index base or tray, and a readily constructed attachment for index cards is provided which is exceptionally cheap to manufacture and gives ahigh speed of use without damage or undue wear on the index cards.

A reinforcement for the free edge of the index cards is also illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9 which includes features corresponding to the card supports already described, but being constructed of celluloid is more adaptable for a card reinforcement.

As illustrated, the card reinforcement 29 comprises a strip of celluloid triple-folded to provide a front wall 30 terminating in an inturned flange 31, a rear wall 32 and an intermediate wall 33 including a rib formed by a crease 34 arranged opposite to the inturned flange 31 and co-operating with a corresponding rib formed by a crease 35 on the free edge of the index card, 1 to adequately secure the reinforcement 29 to the card. I

Attachment and detachment. of the reinforcement is obtained as before mentioned by a simple relative lateral movement, in this case between the reinforcement 29 and the card 1, and to facilitate attachment the front wall 30 is provided with a leading edge 36.

Such a reinforcement is conveniently produced from strip celluloid and is durable and effective in use being readily removedfrom ion the free edge of the index card 1 when not reable when filled or worn through long usage.

Further, being simple stampings of sheetmetal, the supports according to the invention may be produced and reproduced in large quantities exceptionally cheaply and with a uniformity which ensures ready and easy attachment and detachment of index cards thereto when in use, while although described more particularly for use in visible indexes in which both ends of the card support are secured in the base or tray, the supports are equally adaptable for use in a visible. index, the cards of which are supported from one side only.

What I claim is 1. A support for index cards, comprising a strip of material folded into a plurality of walls of which one wall at least is provided with a single continuous longitudinal rib formed by a crease in the wall, for the engagement by axial movement with a corres ponding rib adjacent the support edge of the index card to be supported, and an adjacent wall is disposed to hold the card rib interlockingly engaged with the support rib against unwanted transverse displacement while permitting relative axial movement between the card and the support.

2. A support for index cards, comprising a strip of material folded into two adjacent walls each of which is provided with a single continuous longitudinal rib formed by a crease in the wall, for the engagement by axial movement with a corresponding rib adjacent the support edge of the index card to be supported, the rib in one wall proj ecting internally into the recess of the rib in the other wall to hold the card rib interlockingly engaged with the support rib against unwanted transverse displacement while permitting relative axial movement between the card and the support.

3. A support for index cards, comprising a strip of material folded into three adjacent walls, of which a rear wall imparts rigidity to the support, an intermediate wall is provided with a continuous longitudinal rib formed by a crease in the wall, for the engagement by axial movement with a corresponding rib adjacent the support edge of the indexcard to be supported, and a front wall terminates in an inturned flange depending into the recess of said rib on the intermediate wall to hold the card rib interlockingly engaged against unwanted transverse displacement while permitting relative axial movement between the card and the support.

4. A support for index cards, comprising a strip of material folded into three adjacent walls, of which a rear wall'imparts rigidity to the support, an intermediate wall is provided with a continuous longitudinal rib formed by a crease in the wall for theengagement by axial movement with a corresponding rib adjacent the support edge of the index card to be supported, and a front wall terminates in an inturned flange depending into the recess of said rib on the intermediate wall to hold the card rib interlockingly engaged against unwanted transverse displacement while permitting relative axial movement between the card and the support, a portion of the front wall at one end being removed to facilitate the insertion of the card to the support.

5. A support for index cards, comprising a strip of material folded into three adjacent walls, of which a rear wall imparts rigidity to the support, an intermediate wall is provided with a continuouslongitudinal rib formed by a crease in the wall for the engagement by axial movement with a corresponding rib adjacent the support edge of the index card to be supported, and a front wall terminates in an inturned flange depending into the recess of said rib on the intermediate wall to hold the card rib interlockingly engaged against unwanted trans verse displacement, while permitting relative axial movement between the card and the support, a portion of the front wall at one end being removed to facilitate the insertion of the card into the support, and a beveled edge to said front wall at said end to further facilitate insertion of the card into the support.

6. A support for index cards, comprising a strip of material folded into a plurality of walls of which one wall at least is provided with a single continuous longitudinal rib formed by a crease in the wall, for the engagement by axial movement with a corresponding rib adjacent the support edge of the index card to be supported, and an adjacent wall is disposed to hold the card rib interlocking'ly engaged with the support rib against unwanted transverse displacement, while permitting relative axial movement between the card and the support, and an abutment to the support fixing the position of the card relatively to the support.

7 A support for index cards, comprising a strip of material folded into two adjacent walls each of which is provided with a single continuous longitudinal rib formed by a crease in the wall, for the engagement by axial movement with a corresponding rib adjacent the support edge of the index card to be supported, one rib projecting internally into the recess of the other rib to hold the card rib interlockingly engaged with the support rib against unwanted transverse displacement, while permitting relative axial movement between the card and the support, and an abutment to the support fixing the position 1 of the card relatively to the support.

8. A support for index cards, comprising a strip of material folded into three adjacent walls, of which a rear wall imparts rigidity to the support, an intermediate wall is proterminates'in an inturned flange depending into the recess of said rib on the intermediate Wall to hold the card rib interlockingly engaged against unwanted transverse displacement, while permitting relative axial movement between the card and the support, and an abutment to the support fixing the position of the card relatively to the support.

9. A support for index cards, comprising a strip of material folded into three adjacent walls, of which a rear wall imparts rigidity to the support, an intermediate wall is provided with a continuous longitudinal rib formed by a crease in the wallv for the en'- gagement by axial movement with a corresponding rib adjacent the support edge of the index card to be supported, and a front wall terminates in a inturned flange depending into the recess of said rib on the intermediate wall to hold the card rib interlockingly engaged against unwanted transverse displacement while permitting relative axial movement between the card and the support, and the continuous rib in the intermediate wall and the flange on the front wall being terminated together a small distance from one end to provide an abutment fixing the position of the card relatively to the support. 10. A support forindex cards, comprising a strip of material folded into three adjacent walls, of which a rear wall imparts rigidity to the support, an intermediate wall is provided with a continuous longitudinal rib formed by a crease in the wall for the engagement by axial movement'with a corresponding rib adjacent the support edge of the index card to be supported, and a front wall terminates in an inturned flange depending into the recess of said rib on the intermediate wall to hold the card rib interlockingly engaged against unwanted transverse displacement while permitting relative axial movement between the card and the support, a portion of the front wall at one end being removed to facilitate the insertion of the card into the support, and the continuous rib in the intermediate wall and the flange on the front wall being terminated together a small distance from one end to provide an abutment fixing the position of the card relatively to the suport. p 11. A support for index cards, comprising a strip of material folded into three ad acent walls, of which a rear wall imparts rigidity to the support, an intermediate wall is provided with a continuous longitudinal rib formed by a crease in the wall for the engagement by axial movement with a corresponding rib adjacent the support edge of the index'card to be supported, and a front wall terminates in an inturned flange depending into the recess of said rib on the intermediate wall to holdthe card rib interlockingly engaged against unwanted transverse displacement while permitting relative axial movement between the card and the support, a portion of the front wall at one end being removed to facilitate the insertion of the card into the support, and a bevelled edge to said front wall at said end to further facilitate'insertion of the card into the support, and the continuous rib in the intermediate wall and the flange on the front wall being terminated together a small distance from one end to provide an abutment fixing the position of the card relatively to the support.

12, A support for index cards, comprising a strip of material folded into aplurality of walls of which one wall at least is provided with a single continuous longitudinal rib formed by'a crease in the wall, for the engagement by axial movement with a corresponding rib adj acent the support edge of the index card to be supported, and an adjacent wall is disposed to hold the card rib interlockingly engaged with the support rib against unwanted transverse displacement while permitting relative axial'movement between the card and the support, and a nib projection formed on said support to facilitate inserting or with drawing the support into or out of the index tray which is adapted to hold thesupport.

13. A support for index cards, comprising a strip of material folded into a plurality of Walls of which one wall at least is provided with a single continuous longitudinal rib formed by a crease on the wall, for the engagement by axial movement with a corresponding rib adj acentthe support edge of the index card to be supported, and an adjacent wall is disposed to hold the card rib interlockingly engaged with the support rib against unwanted transverse displacement while permitting axial movement between the card and the support, a portion of the front wall at one endbeing removed to facilitate the insertion of the card into the support, and a nib projection formed at said end on said adjacent wall to facilitate inserting or withdrawing the support into or out of the index tray, which is adapted to hold the support.

l4. support for index cards, comprising a strip of material folded into three ad'- jacent Walls, of which a rear wall imparts rigidity to the support, an intermediate wall is provided with a continuous longitudinal rib formed by a crease in the wall for the engagement by axial movement with a corresponding rib adjacent the support edge of the index card to be supported, and a front wall terminates in an inturned flange depend ing into the recess ofisaid rib on the intermediate wall'to hold the card rib interlockingly engaged against unwanted transverse displacement while permitting relative axial movement between the card and the support, a portion of the front wall at one end being removed to facilitate the insertion of the card into the support, and a nib projection formed on the intermediate wall at said end, to facilitate insertingv or withdrawing the support into or out of the index tray, which is adapted to hold the support.

15. A support for index cards, comprising a Strip of material folded into a plurality of walls of which one wall at least is provided with a single continuous longitudinal rib formed by a crease in the wall, for the engagement by axial movement with a corresponding rib adjacent the support edge of the index card to be supported, and an adjacent wall is disposed to hold the card rib interlockingly engaged with the support rib against unwanted transverse displacement while permitting relative axial movement between the card and the support, an abutment t0 the support fixing the lateral position of the card relatively to the support, a portion of the front wall at one end being removed to facilitate the insertion of the card into the support, and a nib projection formed at said end on said adjacent wall to facilitate inserting or withdrawing the support into or out of the index tray, which is adapted to hold the support.

16. A support for index cards, comprising a strip of material folded into three adjacent walls, of which a rear wall imparts rigidity to the support, an intermediate wall is provided with a continuous longitudinal rib formed by a crease in the wall for the engagement by axial movement with a corresponding rib adjacent the support edge of the index card to be supported, and a front wall terminates in an inturned flange depend ing into the recess of said rib on the intermediate wall to hold the card rib interlockingly engaged against unwanted transverse displacement while permitting relative axial movement between the card and the support, a portion of the front wall at one end being removed, and the rib in the intermediate wall being extended be end the front wall to facilitate insertion o the card into the support.

17. A support for index cards, comprising a strip of material folded into three adjacent walls, of which a rear wall imparts rigidity to the support, an intermediate wall is provided with a continuous longitudinal rib formed by a crease in the wall for the engagement by axial movement with a corresponding rib adjacent the support edge of the index card to be supported, and a front wall terminates in an inturned flange de pending into the recess of said ribon the intermediate wall to hold the card rib interlockingly engaged against unwanted transverse displacement while permitting relative axial movement between the card and the support, and an abutment to the support fixing the position of the card relatively to the support, a portion of the front wall at one end being removed, a bevelled edge to said frontwall at said end to facilitate the insertion of the card into the support, and a nib projection formed on the intermediate wall at said end, to facilitate inserting or withdrawing the support into or out of the index tray, which is adapted to hold the support.

18. A support for index cards, comprising a strip of material folded into three adjacent walls, of which arear wall imparts rigidity to the support, an intermediate wall is provided with a continuous longitudinal rib formed by a crease in the wall for the engagement by axial movement with a corresponding rib adjacent the support edge of the index card to be supported, and a front wall terminates in an inturned flange depending into the recess of said rib on the intermediate wall to hold the card rib interlockingly engaged against unwanted transverse displacement while permitting relative axial movement between the card and the support, an abutment to the support fixing the position of the card relatively to the support, a portion of the front wall at one end being removed, and the rib in the intermediate wall being extended beyond the front wall, a bevelled edge to said front wall at said end to facilitate the insertion of the card into the support, anda nib projection formed on the intermediate wall at said end, to facilitate inserting or withdrawing the support into or out of the index tray, which is adapted to hold the support.

19. In combination, an index sheet or card having a continuous rib formed by a crease adjacent to and extending the length of the support edge of the card, and a support for said card, comprising a strip of material folded into a plurality of walls, of which one wall at least is provided with a continuous corresponding rib formed by a crease in the wall for the engagement by axial movement with said rib in the card, and an adjacent wall is disposed to hold the card rib interlockingly engaged with the support rib against unwanted transverse displacement while permitting relative axial movement'between the card and the support.

20. In combination, an index card having a continuous rib formed by a crease adjacent to and extending the length of the support edge of the card, and a support for said. card comprising a strip of material folded into three walls, of which a rear wall imparts rigidity to the support, an intermedate wall is provided with a corresponding continuous longitudinal rib formed by a crease in the wall for the engagement by axial movement with said rib in the card, and a front wall terminates in an inturned flange depending into the recess of said rib 0n the intermediate Wall to hold the card rib interlockingly en gaged against unwanted transverse displacement While permitting relative axial movement netween the card and the support.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

RICHARD FITZ POWER. 

